Keene graduates sent out on a high note

Keene Central School valedictorian Sam Balzac receives applause from his classmates and the audience after concluding his Oscars-style musical number during the KCS commencement June 22. Balzac and salutatorian Victoria Patenaude also presented awards as part of their farewell to the school community.

Keene Central School Superintendent Cynthia Ford-Johnston described the school’s graduating class of 2013 as “one of the more unique classes to graduate from Keene” during the June 22 commencement.

“I believe all of us are capable of something extraordinary,” Patenaude said. “I think that we already strive to be superheroes ... dare to be a superhero and you just might find yourself being the best you that you can be.”

Patenaude then started to recite several slogans and expressions, which did not go unnoticed by one of her classmates.

“Torey, the first part of your speech was good, but now it’s turning into a string of cliches,” interrupted class valedictorian Sam Balzac.

Patenaude agreed and turned the microphone over to Balzac, who seemed surprised that he was supposed to speak.

After saying his “rough draft” included a dress and juggling pins, Balzac then said he felt graduations should be more like the Oscars.

“You have this music start paying in the background,” Balzac said as music indeed started to play. “And the valedictorian comes out and sings this really cheesy song about the class. And since a lot of the seniors at Keene have been here since kindergarten, they would ...”

Balzac serenaded the class and those in attendance with the accolades and adventures of the class and how they were ready to graduate and move on in life, ending to a standing ovation from both students and audience members.

“Thank you, for not leaving when this got weird,” he said later.

The two class speakers continued with their Oscar-style show, giving out awards for best facial hair, best school slogan and others, along with taking a moment to remember classmates who had moved away, much like an award show’s, “in memoriam,” segment.

At the end, Balzac gave his final message to his fellow graduates.

“I say every moment is an opportunity for originality,” he said, “like turning a graduation speech into an Oscar Awards ceremony.”

The class also heard from elementary teacher Melissa LaVallee, who told the students to take time out from the constant stream of information and focus on the small things from time to time.

“Pause and check in with yourself,” LaVallee said. “When do we take time to reflect on the little things that make life so precious and special? A hand-written thank-you note or a phone call to family members means so much more. Remember the art of face-to-face communication.”

LaVallee also spoke to the five members of the 20-member class that were part of the international program at the school.

“You brought a lot of joy, smiles and new perspective into our school,” LaVallee said. “As a whole, this class has become an outstanding class that everyone will hate to see leave and one that we will miss dearly.”